Debut Party (5)
After a while, it seemed the cleanup was done.
The tables weren’t overturned, nothing looked wrecked—so apparently no one had been foolish enough to resist.
Plum had mentioned that today they’d summoned more Kiblinki Saltas than usual, but I wondered just how many exactly.
Still, since they’d clearly done their job and no other area seemed undermanned, that was fine by me.
“Lady Lily, I must apologize for the disturbance during your celebration.”
Ah, Princess Rodenlight was apologizing to me.
Guess I should say something too.
“Please don’t worry about it. I’m just glad we were able to squeeze out some of the dukedom’s poison.”
“Even so, it remains true that such a precious ceremony was disrupted for that alone. If there’s any way we might assist you in return, please tell us.”
So that’s the ‘we’ll make it up to you’ offer, huh?
But honestly, I don’t need money or goods.
I’ve got piles of fantasy metals and Skill Crystals already.
… Ah, I know.
“In that case, please grant me the right to provide education for children. At present, it’s only permitted within Marquis Vardmoi’s territory and through his collaborators. Could you make that allowance a bit broader?”
The whole hall broke into murmurs at once.
Eh? Did I just say something strange?
“… Very well. I’ll have His Majesty issue a royal decree allowing your schools throughout all of McFarlane.”
Whoa, the entire country?
I’d have been fine with just the crown lands.
Still, if we’re expanding that far, we’ll need more buildings, staff, and teachers—lots of preparation.
That’s going to be a big project.
“Thank you very much. Then I’ll proceed accordingly.”
“Yes. I’d also like a private word later, if I may.”
Alright! More things to prepare, sure—but now the children would finally have the right to an education.
That was worth it!
Time to start planning!
“Lily, you’ve forgotten your speech.”
“Huh? … Ah.”
Right. This was supposed to be my debut, wasn’t it?
It had turned into Sharon’s downfall theater, and I’d completely forgotten.
Let’s see… what should I say again…
“Ladies and gentlemen, I deeply apologize for the commotion earlier.
My name is Lily, and as of today, I have been promoted to Platinum-rank Merchant.
Though I was born in another land, my life as a merchant began in the old kingdom.
According to the Vardmoi Trade Guild, I am currently the only individual to hold the Platinum rank personally.
Later, I will perform the sacred dance passed down in my family to honor the gods.
Until then, please enjoy your evening.”
… Yeah, the mood was still ice-cold.
Amira gave her greeting too, but the air was frozen solid.
Did I do something weird again?
Anyway, I should head down to the lower floor.
“Lily, you really went and asked for something outrageous.”
“Eh? What do you mean, Plum?”
“The right to education, lass. That princess couldn’t possibly refuse after you asked in front of everyone. But education—education is the very backbone of a nation. By granting it all to your hands, McFarlane’s gone and handed you a lever that could move the whole country. They’ll have no choice but to start takin’ you seriously.”
“My… me measures? Against me?”
“This is no laughing matter, Lady Lily.”
Alizée said, exasperated.
“Even you, Alizée…”
“Lady Lily, as it stands, you already control most of the kingdom’s food supply and transportation. That alone is enough to make any government uneasy. Now, with the duty of opening educational institutions added on, there’s no military or political means left for them to simply remove you.
That means McFarlane will have to work in earnest to develop its agriculture, expand logistics, and educate its citizens—all without relying on you.”
“Ahh… so that’s how far it goes.”
“It goes exactly that far. They probably intended to use you as a convenient tool to punish the fallen crown prince, nothing more. But now they’ve pushed themselves into real nation-building efforts.”
“Well, that doesn’t sound entirely bad, does it?”
“For the greedy nobles who only care about their own profit, it’s the worst possible outcome.”
… So that’s what it was.
Guess I’d accidentally made more enemies again without even realizing it.
Oh well—too late to worry about it now!
What do you think about this chapter?
Thanks for the chapter.